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Well done ag Under 23 Team! Jock race report compiled by Tiaan Kannemeyer Jock Cycle Challenge Being such a long race the Jock was never going to be easy for the ag U/23 and Junior team especially with the bigger teams doing twice the amount of races in the last 2 months and riding overseas. My team orders were to forget about the elite riders and watch the U/23 riders so we can show that we on the same level as those who are already riding for the big teams, but equally if they can go with the elite then go. The first stage was mis-calculated by all the big teams when Peter Syffert (Westvaal BMC) went up the road and to get a 3min gap and never to be caught again and winning the stage by 1’20”. His break away made it incredibly hard on the Hill Top (pass into Nelspruit) climb as the MTN team put up a very hard tempo up the climb splitting the group in pieces. This was where I saw Kevin (Patten) was having a good day staying in the front with the leading riders. He finished the first stage with no time lost to except Syffert. The 2nd stage was controlled by Westvaal BMC till the big climb of Boulders. Here Kevin stayed with the 1st group again till the last 100m of the climb. I told him on the decent to wait for a group of 4 riders containing Girdelstone, Syffert, Mcloud and van Zweel as it is quite long from the top to the finish and to conserve some energy for the last stage that is always the deciding stage. They worked well together only to lose a minute. The last stage had a little bit of a cross wind so I gave instructions to Viehann (du Plessis) to keep Kevin out of the wind. They rode the whole stage together in a very good position till the last 20km when all the bigger teams started to attack and again the bunch was split into pieces. Kevin was still with the main riders, but as they approached the last 10km sadly he ‘ran out of steam’. It was the first time this year that I saw the team riding very well for each other, so I am very happy with that. The Jock is a race better suited for older riders because of the distance, but Kevin gave a gutsy performance. He also went on the next day and WON the Hill climb. Our junior rider Ruan Kruger knew it was going to be tough to do well in 150km race which and in my opinion is way too far for someone that is 16 years old. He rode a brilliant first stage by coming 1st and riding away from the rest of the juniors, but struggled towards the end of the race. At the end of the day it was good training for him for the Clover tour that starts the 8th of August.

JOCK NEWS: Bestmed Jock eye opener for youngsters - Nicholas White The Bestmed Jock classic, presented by ASG, took place this past Saturday in its traditional 3 stage form. It was just as hard as I remembered, with MTN Qhubeka's Jacques Janse van Rensburg winning overall. This race is a one of contrasts, with temperatures ranging from 0 degrees through to 35 degrees later on in the day. Not to mention the long steep hills, the likes of which we haven't see in a while while training pre daylight through the winter months. The cold start took everyone by surprise, and Pieter Seyffert (Westvaal BMC) took advantage of this by escaping alone and staying clear to win the 45km Barberton Nelspruit stage by 1 min 30 sec. The next stage started fast and on the run down to Boulders climb, there were many attacks, well controlled by the Team of Westvaal BMC. The climb started fast, and I was soon riding behind at my own rhythm, as the leaders sped off. The stage was won by Jacques Janse van Rensburg from his team mate Ferekalsi. They finished just fast enough to overtake Seyffert for the race lead. Our best rider was Willie Smit, but he was a few groups down from the leaders, and in about 15th position or so. The rest of our guys were further back, rookies at the Jock, and not so certain of the rest of the race. This was perhaps not a bad thing, as once the final stage started, Martin Scheppel and Kallen Williams were not afraid to go in the attacks. Kallen eventually succeeded in a break with a Bonitas, MTN Qhubeka and club 100 rider. They gained close to a minutes lead, and the pace of the bunch was controlled by Bonitas still eyeing a possible win for Darren Lill. Once the race reached the few steeper hills with 20 km remaining, the attacks started and that was the last a few of us saw of the front. Kallen was back with me, and it was then pure survival with no lights! The race upfront was furious and eventually a large group went to the finish together, stage won by Ferekalsi of MTN which placed him in second, and the overall win going to Jacques Janse van Rensburg. Darren Lill finished third. There was very little to distance the first five or six riders on the GC, which means that the level is pretty high as Bonitas and MTN are both planned to race the Tour of Portugal in August and looking for top form! For the Toyota CSA academy, the Jock was a stepping stone for the Clover tour in a few weeks time, and we had a small team, including guest junior Franklin Newton whose eyes were opened as it was his first time in Nelspruit, let alone the Jock tour! Lynette Burger continued her run of peak form when she won the overall Elite women’s title at the 2012 Best Med Jock Cycle Tour in Barberton on Saturday. Widely considered South Africa’s toughest one-day race, ‘The Jock’, now run over three stages, totaling 153km, is a coveted race on the South African professional race calendar. And for Burger, who races for the Toyota CSA Academy team, it turned into a challenge both on and off the bike, but ultimately gave the 31-year-old her first ever win in the iconic race. Once again, the women raced with the 50-plus veteran men. The first stage, a 48km leg from Barberton to Nelspruit, saw MTN Qhubeka’s An-Li Pretorius and Karien Alberts make a strong start, claiming first and second places respectively. Burger, who was dropped on the famous ‘Hilltop’ climb, just failed to reach the lead group by the finish, but managed to claim third place, a few seconds adrift. The demanding second stage, a 58km haul from Nelspruit to Kaapmuiden over the testing ‘Boulders’ climb saw the field splinter dramatically. An eager Pretorius raced aggressively from the start and only Burger and Lee-Zaan Henrichsen (EOH) were able to stay in contact with her. Pretorius then moved clear over the top of Boulders and it required a hard effort for Burger to rejoin the leading group just before the start of the descent. “None of the 50+ men wanted to help me get back, not making it easy at all but I managed to claw my way back to the front and got back on just before the descent. And I immediately attacked on the first corner of the descent,” explained Burger. “I am very comfortable going downhill especially with loads of corners, so I managed to open a gap and stayed away till the finish, making up for the time I lost on the first stage and gaining a couple of seconds,” added Burger. Pretorius finished the stage in second place and Henrichsen was third. The final stage, a 53km leg from Kaapmuiden to Barberton, was started under a cloud of confusion. The race officials had Pretorius as the overall leader by five seconds over Burger on elapsed time. But according to Burger’s team manager, David Pieterse, it was Burger who should have been leading into the final stage. Alberts won the final leg ahead of Burger with Pretorius in third, giving MTN Qhubeka their second stage win. But it was Burger who was declared the overall winner. Once the officials had examined the finish line camera footage of Stage 2 – at the request of Burger – they determined that Toyota CSA Academy rider had actually won the overall title from Pretorius by two seconds. “I guess over three stages and 153km, two seconds is like a couple of metres, but a win is a win. I am so happy, I’ve always dreamed about winning The Jock but never thought that it was possible. I guess anything is possible as long as you set your mind to it,” smiled an elated Burger, who will now focus on winning a medal at the Masters World Championships in Pietermaritzburg next month in the 30-34 age category.

Check out this wacky video clip, make sure you watch it till the end http://www.zapiks.fr/histoire-sans-freins.html

A big thanks to all Jock participants this past weekend - SA's toughest 1day race! Latest news: Burger shows peak form to win Jock Lynette Burger continued her run of peak form when she won the overall Elite women’s title at the 2012 Best Med Jock Cycle Tour in Barberton on Saturday. Widely considered South Africa’s toughest one-day race, ‘The Jock’, now run over three stages, totaling 153km, is a coveted race on the South African professional race calendar. And for Burger, who races for the Toyota CSA Academy team, it turned into a challenge both on and off the bike, but ultimately gave the 31-year-old her first ever win in the iconic race. Once again, the women raced with the 50-plus veteran men. The first stage, a 48km leg from Barberton to Nelspruit, saw MTN Qhubeka’s An-Li Pretorius and Karien Alberts make a strong start, claiming first and second places respectively. Burger, who was dropped on the famous ‘Hilltop’ climb, just failed to reach the lead group by the finish, but managed to claim third place, a few seconds adrift. The demanding second stage, a 58km haul from Nelspruit to Kaapmuiden over the testing ‘Boulders’ climb saw the field splinter dramatically. An eager Pretorius raced aggressively from the start and only Burger and Lee-Zaan Henrichsen (EOH) were able to stay in contact with her. Pretorius then moved clear over the top of Boulders and it required a hard effort for Burger to rejoin the leading group just before the start of the descent. “None of the 50+ men wanted to help me get back, not making it easy at all but I managed to claw my way back to the front and got back on just before the descent. And I immediately attacked on the first corner of the descent,” explained Burger. “I am very comfortable going downhill especially with loads of corners, so I managed to open a gap and stayed away till the finish, making up for the time I lost on the first stage and gaining a couple of seconds,” added Burger. Pretorius finished the stage in second place and Henrichsen was third. The final stage, a 53km leg from Kaapmuiden to Barberton, was started under a cloud of confusion. The race officials had Pretorius as the overall leader by five seconds over Burger on elapsed time. But according to Burger’s team manager, David Pieterse, it was Burger who should have been leading into the final stage. Alberts won the final leg ahead of Burger with Pretorius in third, giving MTN Qhubeka their second stage win. But it was Burger who was declared the overall winner. Once the officials had examined the finish line camera footage of Stage 2 – at the request of Burger – they determined that Toyota CSA Academy rider had actually won the overall title from Pretorius by two seconds. “I guess over three stages and 153km, two seconds is like a couple of metres, but a win is a win. I am so happy, I’ve always dreamed about winning The Jock but never thought that it was possible. I guess anything is possible as long as you set your mind to it,” smiled an elated Burger, who will now focus on winning a medal at the Masters World Championships in Pietermaritzburg next month in the 30-34 age category.

Have your family and friends track & monitor your race tommorow at JOCK! ag trackers are available for rent or to purchase Contact Ettienne on 083 276 7554 to get yours!

Have your family and friends track & monitor your race tommorow at JOCK! ag trackers are available for rent or to purchase Contact Ettienne on 083 276 7554 to get yours!

Latest JOCK news: "Welcome to the Lowveld. We hope you enjoy your stay." It's with these words and a wry smile that cycling locals welcome hopeful Jock finishers to Barberton annually. The outstanding feature of the Jock still surprises novices every year - the mountains. Riders from Johannesburg, Pretoria and surrounds don't train on climbs that feel like they never end - and that's why most of the field suffer; really suffer, to make the 17:30 Jock cut-off in Barberton. Many finishers collapse as they cross the line and have to be helped to the medals table. But in their agony they're all inspired by the fact that they have completed the Comrades of cycling. On 21 July 1500 brave souls will again take to the roads between Barberton, Nelspruit and Kaapmuiden for the 29th staging of the Bestmed Jock Cycle Classique. Among the starters will be many riders battling a personal setback or disability, and many more that would just like to show themselves that they can. Any rider who finishes will know that he or she can be counted as one of the toughest in the sport - and he, or she, will have serious bragging rights for the rest of their existence. Boulders and Hilltop have become part of South African cycling folklore. Boulders, on the second stage between Nelspruit and Kaapmuiden, is the main monster on the trip. It is 7km long with an average gradient of nine per cent. For about 3km it goes up to 14 per cent. The backmarkers always battle to the top, but the big reward is an alpine like decent all the way to the finish in Kaapmuiden. The parents’ committee of Bergvlam High School, who have been in charge of catering for the past three years, will again be on hand to spoil cyclists during the breakfast and lunch stops and they have promised to lay it on thick once again. Cyclists usually complain that they eat too much and battle to get up the climbs on the last stage! The three-stage, 154km Bestmed Jock Cycle Classique is the biggest winter road event in the country, and is growing at a rate of more than 50% in entry totals annually. It seems riders love the three-stage format. The locals treat them really well before and after the racing. The food and hospitality just couldn’t be better. The only change to the originally advertised race is that the second stage will commence at 9:00 for the first bunch, and not 8:30 as the entry form reads. Mpower FM is following the Jock this year and will provide entertainment at each venue. They will also do live crossings during the day to keep listeners updated. The Jock will be broadcast on SuperSport, so keep a look-out for programme guides. Bestmed Jock Cycle Classique Date: 21 July 2012 Venue: Coronation Park, Barberton Starting times: Stage 1: 6.30am; Stage 2: 9:00am; Stage 3: 12.30pm Stage distances: Stage 1: Barberton to Nelspruit via Hilltop – 42km; Stage 2: Nelspruit to Kaapmuiden via Boulders – 58.8km; Stage 3: Kaapmuiden to Barberton – 54km With every Jock medal worn, again a cyclist is born!

Jock news: "Welcome to the Lowveld. We hope you enjoy your stay." It's with these words and a wry smile that cycling locals welcome hopeful Jock finishers to Barberton annually. The outstanding feature of the Jock still surprises novices every year - the mountains. Riders from Johannesburg, Pretoria and surrounds don't train on climbs that feel like they never end - and that's why most of the field suffer; really suffer, to make the 17:30 Jock cut-off in Barberton. Many finishers collapse as they cross the line and have to be helped to the medals table. But in their agony they're all inspired by the fact that they have completed the Comrades of cycling. On 21 July 1500 brave souls will again take to the roads between Barberton, Nelspruit and Kaapmuiden for the 29th staging of the Bestmed Jock Cycle Classique. Among the starters will be many riders battling a personal setback or disability, and many more that would just like to show themselves that they can. Any rider who finishes will know that he or she can be counted as one of the toughest in the sport - and he, or she, will have serious bragging rights for the rest of their existence. Boulders and Hilltop have become part of South African cycling folklore. Boulders, on the second stage between Nelspruit and Kaapmuiden, is the main monster on the trip. It is 7km long with an average gradient of nine per cent. For about 3km it goes up to 14 per cent. The backmarkers always battle to the top, but the big reward is an alpine like decent all the way to the finish in Kaapmuiden. The parents’ committee of Bergvlam High School, who have been in charge of catering for the past three years, will again be on hand to spoil cyclists during the breakfast and lunch stops and they have promised to lay it on thick once again. Cyclists usually complain that they eat too much and battle to get up the climbs on the last stage! The three-stage, 154km Bestmed Jock Cycle Classique is the biggest winter road event in the country, and is growing at a rate of more than 50% in entry totals annually. It seems riders love the three-stage format. The locals treat them really well before and after the racing. The food and hospitality just couldn’t be better. The only change to the originally advertised race is that the second stage will commence at 9:00 for the first bunch, and not 8:30 as the entry form reads. Mpower FM is following the Jock this year and will provide entertainment at each venue. They will also do live crossings during the day to keep listeners updated. The Jock will be broadcast on SuperSport, so keep a look-out for programme guides. Bestmed Jock Cycle Classique Date: 21 July 2012 Venue: Coronation Park, Barberton Starting times: Stage 1: 6.30am; Stage 2: 9:00am; Stage 3: 12.30pm Stage distances: Stage 1: Barberton to Nelspruit via Hilltop – 42km; Stage 2: Nelspruit to Kaapmuiden via Boulders – 58.8km; Stage 3: Kaapmuiden to Barberton – 54km With every Jock medal worn, again a cyclist is born!

Jock cycle classic news: "Welcome to the Lowveld. We hope you enjoy your stay." It's with these words and a wry smile that cycling locals welcome hopeful Jock finishers to Barberton annually. The outstanding feature of the Jock still surprises novices every year - the mountains. Riders from Johannesburg, Pretoria and surrounds don't train on climbs that feel like they never end - and that's why most of the field suffer; really suffer, to make the 17:30 Jock cut-off in Barberton. Many finishers collapse as they cross the line and have to be helped to the medals table. But in their agony they're all inspired by the fact that they have completed the Comrades of cycling. On 21 July 1500 brave souls will again take to the roads between Barberton, Nelspruit and Kaapmuiden for the 29th staging of the Bestmed Jock Cycle Classique. Among the starters will be many riders battling a personal setback or disability, and many more that would just like to show themselves that they can. Any rider who finishes will know that he or she can be counted as one of the toughest in the sport - and he, or she, will have serious bragging rights for the rest of their existence. Boulders and Hilltop have become part of South African cycling folklore. Boulders, on the second stage between Nelspruit and Kaapmuiden, is the main monster on the trip. It is 7km long with an average gradient of nine per cent. For about 3km it goes up to 14 per cent. The backmarkers always battle to the top, but the big reward is an alpine like decent all the way to the finish in Kaapmuiden. The parents’ committee of Bergvlam High School, who have been in charge of catering for the past three years, will again be on hand to spoil cyclists during the breakfast and lunch stops and they have promised to lay it on thick once again. Cyclists usually complain that they eat too much and battle to get up the climbs on the last stage! The three-stage, 154km Bestmed Jock Cycle Classique is the biggest winter road event in the country, and is growing at a rate of more than 50% in entry totals annually. It seems riders love the three-stage format. The locals treat them really well before and after the racing. The food and hospitality just couldn’t be better. The only change to the originally advertised race is that the second stage will commence at 9:00 for the first bunch, and not 8:30 as the entry form reads. Mpower FM is following the Jock this year and will provide entertainment at each venue. They will also do live crossings during the day to keep listeners updated. The Jock will be broadcast on SuperSport, so keep a look-out for programme guides. Bestmed Jock Cycle Classique Date: 21 July 2012 Venue: Coronation Park, Barberton Starting times: Stage 1: 6.30am; Stage 2: 9:00am; Stage 3: 12.30pm Stage distances: Stage 1: Barberton to Nelspruit via Hilltop – 42km; Stage 2: Nelspruit to Kaapmuiden via Boulders – 58.8km; Stage 3: Kaapmuiden to Barberton – 54km With every Jock medal worn, again a cyclist is born!

Custom-fit Rudy's for Cole as he prepares for the next Tour de Woof!

Hey guys Photos will be available on www.actionphoto.net by Wednesday

Pffff....forget single track! B)

Hi guys Please direct your questions to our events office on 076 621 1807 or eventsupport@asgworld.co.za as they will be able to assist with more information about Walkerville! Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Stewart eyes Walkerville win South Africa’s top mountain bikers will launch the second half of their season at the 15th annual Kia Walkerville Classic, presented by ASG, on Sunday. In the absence of champion Max Knox and last year’s runner-up Philip Buys, whose respective European and Olympics commitments will see them on the sidelines, Gauteng’s biggest race is set to crown a new champion. Brandon Stewart of FedGroup-Itec Connect, third in his maiden outing last year, is set to spearhead the list of favourites, which also includes former Old Mutual joBerg2c champions Neil MacDonald and Waylon Woolcock of RE:CM. “It’s definitely an important race for us,” said former national cross-country champion Stewart. “Organisers are expecting 1 500 riders, which is a fantastic turnout for a winter event.” He said the title sponsor was also his team transport partner and therefore a win was key for the team. “Last year, I was recovering from illness and it was the first time I’d done it. Now that I know the course, I should fare better.” Stewart said the 60km route, which is punctuated by three climbs, was relatively fast and flat, with good single-track sections, and he expected “tight and close” racing. He said the lead bunch would probably separate from the field on the initial 3km climb up Platberg, which is just seven kilometres into the race. “You’ve just got to give it all you’ve got on that first climb.” He did not foresee any of the favourites attempting to get away there. “With another 40-odd kilometres to go, it is extremely unlikely.” The 31-year-old from Hilton in KwaZulu-Natal said the chances of a breakaway on the gradual Wattle Alley ascent, midway through the race, were also slim. “If you’re out on your own, it’s easy for the bunch to haul you back.” Stewart said the main contenders would, in all likelihood, leave their main assault for the final 1.5km uphill drag to the finish at the Walkerville Showgrounds. “If you’re still strong there you can make it really hard in the final stretch and force a split or long sprint.” According to him, the race was neither a climber nor sprinter’s course. “I can see an all-round, powerful rider doing really well here.” He said he was looking forward to getting in some good speed work ahead of the national cross-country championships in Nelspruit the following weekend. Organiser Wynand de Villiers, from ASG Events, said the race would include family entertainment such as an aerobatics display and all finishers would receive a commemorative medal. The event also includes a 40km option. Online entries have closed, but late entries will be accepted during registration. This will take place at Cycle Lab Fourways from 10am to 4pm on Friday and at the Walkerville Showgrounds from 9am to 3pm on Saturday and 7am to 8.45am on Sunday. Contact ASG Events on 076 621 1807 or eventsupport@asgworld.co.za for more information, or follow @CyclingnewsZA. Issued by fullstop communications on behalf of ASG Events

Hi Andro Thank you for your post. We're awaiting final confirmation on prices and will notify you all as soon as possible Regards ag

She's a beaut! Pinarello Dogma 2 with new FFWD ghost wheels! Available from participating dealers, www.asgsport.co.za

Hi guys One of the riders found a sports watch in the road near the N1 after the Sondela event on Sunday 08 July 12 Please contact karla@asgsport.co.za to claim if it's yours Thanks ag

Hi Yes you can purchase a kit through our events portal http://www.asgevents.co.za/pages/events/raceSignUp.php?id=67 Regards ag

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!! 15th Anniversary Edition of Walkerville Classic 2012 sees the proud 15th anniversary of the Kia Walkerville Mountain Bike Classic, Gauteng biggest and favourite winter mountain bike event. Please note that due to increased entry total on the event we are moving to a new venue this year. The race will start and finish at the Walkerville Showgrounds, just off the showgrounds road as you enter Walkerville from Alberton's side. Co-ordinates for the new venue are: 26 24 17S and 27 57 48E The new venue sits 4km from the original start on the route from Lapeng.

IMPORTANCE ANNOUNCEMENT!! 15th Anniversary Edition of Walkerville Classic 2012 sees the proud 15th anniversary of the Kia Walkerville Mountain Bike Classic, Gauteng biggest and favourite winter mountain bike event. Please note that due to increased entry total on the event we are moving to a new venue this year. The race will start and finish at the Walkerville Showgrounds, just off the showgrounds road as you enter Walkerville from Alberton's side. Co-ordinates for the new venue are: 26 24 17S and 27 57 48E The new venue sits 4km from the original start on the route from Lapeng.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT! 15th Anniversary Edition of Walkerville Classic 2012 sees the proud 15th anniversary of the Kia Walkerville Mountain Bike Classic, Gauteng biggest and favourite winter mountain bike event. Please note that due to increased entry total on the event we are moving to a new venue this year. The race will start and finish at the Walkerville Showgrounds, just off the showgrounds road as you enter Walkerville from Alberton's side. Co-ordinates for the new venue are: 26 24 17S and 27 57 48E The new venue sits 4km from the original start on the route from Lapeng.

Hey guys, Thanks so much for participating in the Sondela MTB challenge this past weekend! Here are a couple of useful links provided by our events team, go check it out! Results can be found on: http://www.spectrumsport.co.za/Portals/17/ResultDoc/ASG_Sondela_MTB_20120708.pdf Photographs will be available in a day or 2 on: www.actionphoto.net Also, Sondela has posted an album with lots of photographs to view: http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.320141594744333.73653.100002454867143&type=1

Hi Herman Our events team has just confirmed: Results can be found on: http://www.spectrumsport.co.za/Portals/17/ResultDoc/ASG_Sondela_MTB_20120708.pdf Photographs will be available in a day or 2 on: www.actionphoto.net Regards ag

Hi Herman We will advise on race results shortly, as for photographs...Sondela posted an album om their page, here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.320141594744333.73653.100002454867143&type=1 Regards ag

Nice competition Ian - what a prize (especially after Chris Froome rode his Sky DOGMA to victory today) - We love the guys at Design in Motion - what a store!!! Good luck to everyone!